Method for treating neurodegenerative diseases

ABSTRACT

A method for treating neurodegenerative diseases including the step of administering an isothiocyanate functional surfactant to an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein the isothiocyanate functional surfactant comprises at least one isothiocyanate functional group associated with an aliphatic and/or aromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanate functional surfactant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/867,626, entitled “METHOD FOR TREATING SKIN CANCER,” filed Sep. 28,2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/519,510,entitled “METHOD FOR TREATING SKIN CANCER,” filed Oct. 21, 2014, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,504,667, which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/952,236, entitled “METHOD FOR TREATING SKIN CANCER,” filedJul. 26, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,865,772, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/676,093, entitled “METHOD FORTREATING SKIN CANCER,” filed Jul. 26, 2012—which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety, including all references citedtherein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to compositions and methods fortreating neurodegenerative diseases in humans and other mammalianvertebrates, and, more particularly, to compositions and methods fortreating, for example, amyloid-related diseases, dementia, Alzheimer'sdisease, etcetera.

2. Background Art

By way of background, amyloidosis is a general term that describes anumber of diseases characterized by extracellular deposition of proteinfibrils, which form numerous “amyloid deposits,” which may occur inlocalized sites or systemically. The fibrillar composition of thesedeposits is an identifying characteristic for the various forms ofamyloid disease. For example, intracerebral and cerebrovascular depositscomposed primarily of fibrils of beta amyloid peptide (β-AP) arecharacteristic of Alzheimer's disease (both familial and sporadicforms), islet amyloid protein peptide (IAPP; amylin) is characteristicof the fibrils in pancreatic islet cell amyloid deposits associated withtype II diabetes, and β2-microglobulin is a major component of amyloiddeposits which form as a consequence of long term hemodialysistreatment. More recently, prion-associated diseases, such asCreutzfeld-Jacob disease, have also been recognized as amyloid diseases.

The various forms of disease have been divided into classes, mostly onthe basis of whether or not the amyloidosis is associated with anunderlying systemic illness. Thus, certain disorders are considered tobe primary amyloidoses, in which there is no evidence for preexisting orcoexisting disease. In general, primary amyloidoses of the disease arecharacterized by the presence of “amyloid light chain-type” (AL-type)protein fibrils, so named for the homology of the N-terminal region ofthe AL fibrils to the variable fragment of immunoglobulin light chain(kappa or lambda).

Secondary or “reactive” amyloidosis is characterized by deposition of AAtype fibrils derived from serum amyloid A protein (ApoSSA). These formsof amyloidosis are typically characterized by an underlying chronicinflammatory or infectious disease state (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis,osteomyelitis, tuberculosis, leprosy, etcetera).

Heredofamilial amyloidoses may have associated neuropathic, renal, orcardiovascular deposits of the ATTR transthyretin type. Otherheredofamilial amyloidoses include other syndromes and may havedifferent amyloid components (e.g., familial Mediterranean fever whichis characterized by AA fibrils). Other forms of amyloidosis includelocal forms, characterized by focal, often tumor-like deposits thatoccur in isolated organs. Other amyloidoses are associated with aging,and are commonly characterized by plaque formation in the heart orbrain. Also common are amyloid deposits associated with long termhemodialysis. These and other forms of amyloid disease are summarized inHistopathology 25:403-414, Tan, S. Y. and Pepys, 1994, and Harrison'sHandbook of Internal Medicine, 13th Ed., Isselbacher, K. J., et al, eds,McGraw-Hill, San Francisco, 1995.

Often, fibrils forming the bulk of an amyloid deposit are derived fromone or more primary precursor proteins or peptides, and are usuallyassociated with sulfated glycosaminoglycans. In addition, amyloiddeposits may include minor proteins and peptides of various types, alongwith 30 other components, such as proteoglycans, gangliosides and othersugars.

Currently, there are no specific, commercially available treatments forthe above-identified neurodegenerative diseases. However, the openliterature is replete with patents and publications on this topic,including: U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,686 entitled “Active Immunization forTreatment of Alzheimer's Disease,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,434 entitled“Method of Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,812,248entitled “Prevention and Treatment of Degenerative Diseases byGlutathione and Phase II Detoxification Enzymes,” U.S. Pat. No.6,242,421 entitled “Methods for Preventing and Treating Alzheimer'sDisease,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,221 entitled “Method for TreatingAlzheimer's Disease with Folic Acid,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,220 entitled“Therapeutic Method for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease,” U.S. Pat. No.5,731,284 entitled “Method for Treating Alzheimer's Disease Using GlialLine-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) Protein Product,” U.S. Pat. No.5,434,170 entitled “Method for Treating Neurocognitive Disorders,” U.S.Pat. No. 4,666,829 entitled “Polypeptide Marker for Alzheimer's Diseaseand Its Use for Diagnosis,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,318 entitled “Method ofTreating Alzheimer's Disease,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,365 entitled “Methodof Treating Alzheimer's Disease,” and United States Patent PublicationNumber 2006/0116423 A1 entitled “Methods and Compositions for Treatmentof Central Nervous System Injury with Isothiocyanates,”—all of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety including thereferences cited therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,686 appears to disclose agents and methods fortreatment of diseases associated with amyloid deposits of Aβ in thebrain of a patient. Such methods entail administering agents that inducea beneficial immunogenic response against the amyloid deposit. Themethods are disclosed as useful for prophylactic and therapeutictreatment of Alzheimer's disease. Preferred agents including N-terminalfragments of Aβ and antibodies binding to the same.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,434 appears to disclose pharmaceutical compositionsand methods for preventing or treating a number of amyloid diseases,including Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases, familial amyloidneuropathies and the like. The pharmaceutical compositions includeimmunologically reactive amounts of amyloid fibril components,particularly fibril-forming peptides or proteins. Also disclosed aretherapeutic compositions and methods which use immune reagents thatreact with such fibril components.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,812,248 appears to disclose treating degenerativedisease by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of acompound that elevates glutathione or at least one Phase IIdetoxification enzyme in diseased tissue. The chemical structure ofwhich is provided below:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,242,421 appears to disclose a method for treatingAlzheimer's disease or preventing or delaying its onset in individualsdeemed by competent observation and testing to be susceptible thereto. Anon-estrogenic, non-androgenic, non-anabolic agent is administered toreduce or eliminate blood serum levels of one or both of FSH and LH.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,221 appears to disclose a method for treatingocclusive vascular disease or Alzheimer's disease, wherein the patienthas at least moderately elevated blood levels of homocysteine and atleast moderately reduced blood levels of folate and vitamin B12. Thepatient is treated with folic acid, the chemical structure of which isprovided below:

a folate or a derivative thereof, and optionally vitamin B12, andoptionally an organic nitrate such as isosorbide mononitrate ordinitrate, or an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin II antagonist, or aNEP/ACE inhibitor or a combination of two or more of the above.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,220 appears to disclose a method and apparatus fortreating Alzheimer's disease. The method comprises deliveringindomethacin, the chemical structure of which is provided below:

or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents having cyclooxygenase inhibitoraction directly to the hippocampus or the lateral ventricle through animplanted catheter. The catheter has a flexible distal end that isimplanted directly in the hippocampus or lateral ventricle as thepreferred embodiment. The distal end has either a porous tip or a closedend. Where the distal end is closed, or a plurality of elution holes arepresent indomethacin is delivered to the hippocampus or lateralventricle through either the porous tip or the elution holes. Thecatheter is part of a system for delivering indomethacin or nonsteroidalanti-inflammatory agents having cyclooxygenase inhibitor action to thehippocampus or lateral ventricle that includes a pump coupled to thecatheter for delivering the indomethacin or nonsteroidalanti-inflammatory agents having cyclooxygenase inhibitor action throughthe catheter to the hippocampus or lateral ventricle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,284 appears to disclose methods for treating injuryor degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons by administeringglial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The inventionrelates specifically to methods for treating Alzheimer's disease.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,170 appears to disclose a method for treating acentral nervous system or peripheral nervous system cholinergic deficitstate in a mammalian organism in need of such treatment. The methodincludes the step of administering to the mammal an amount ofthalidomide effective in the treatment of a cholinergic deficit stateand for a time sufficient to achieve a suitable blood level to treatsaid cholinergic deficit state.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,829 appears to disclose Alzheimer's AmyloidPolypeptide (AAP) in substantially purified form which is isolated fromamyloid deposits in patients with Alzheimer's Disease. The polypeptidehas the following amino acid sequence:H₂N-ASP-ALA-GLU-PHE-ARG-HIS-ASP-SER-GLY-TYR-GLN-VAL-HIS-HIS-GLN-LYS-LEU-VAL-PHE-PHE-ALA-GLU-ASP-VAL-GLY-SER-ASN-LYS-COOH.The polypeptide, or fragments thereof, may be used to produce antibodiesuseful in a diagnostic test for Alzheimer's Disease. Nucleotide probescorresponding to portions of the polypeptide are also useful fordiagnostic purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,318 appears to disclose that Alzheimer's disease maybe treated with galanthamine, the chemical structure of which isprovided below:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,365 appears to disclose a method of treatingAlzheimer's disease that comprises administering to a person requiringsuch treatment, a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt ofdeferoxamine USAN, the chemical structure of which is provided below.

Such salts are preferably administered parenterally in the form ofaqueous solutions. The dosage of suitable acid addition salts ofdeferoxamine, (e.g., of the mesylate) is conveniently from about 0.2 to5 g daily, preferably from about 0.2 to 1.5 g and in particular about0.5 to about 1.0 g daily, especially twice daily 0.5 g, depending on theindividual condition of the patient and the stage of the disease.

United States Patent Publication Number 2006/0116423A1 appears todisclose methods and compositions comprising isothiocyanates orderivatives or metabolites thereof, for attenuating or preventingcentral nervous system tissue damage, and/or improving cognitivefunction. Treatment of head trauma, spinal cord injury, stroke, aging,neurological diseases, and other insults to the central nervous systemthat compromise the blood-brain barrier, cause brain swelling, centralnervous system cell death, or cognitive or motor dysfunction, byadministering an isothiocyanate such as sulforaphane, allylisothiocyanate, phenylethyl isothiocyanate, or a related compound, isalso disclosed.

While the above-identified references, as disclosed hereinabove, appearto provide at least some treatment to those with a neurodegenerativedisease, such treatment remains non-desirous and/or problematic inasmuchas, among other things, none of the above-identified treatments providesufficient results from the debilitating effects of neurodegenerativedisease. As such, there remains a genuine demand for non-invasive,substantially non-invasive and/or invasive medical treatments that areeffective and that remedy the detriments and/or complications associatedwith the above-identified remedies.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new,useful, and nonobvious method for treating neurodegenerative diseases,such as amyloid-related diseases, dementia, Alzheimer's disease,etcetera.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent inlight of the present specification, claims, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method fortreating a neurodegenerative disease (e.g., an amyloid-related disease,dementia, Alzheimer's disease, etcetera) comprising the step of:administering an isothiocyanate functional surfactant to an areaaffected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant comprises at least one isothiocyanate functionalgroup associated with an aliphatic and/or aromatic carbon atom of theisothiocyanate functional surfactant.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the method for treatinga neurodegenerative disease further comprises the step of removing theisothiocyanate functional surfactant from the area affected by theneurodegenerative disease after a period of time.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is directedto a method for treating a neurodegenerative disease comprising thesteps of: (a) administering an isothiocyanate functional surfactant toan area affected by the a neurodegenerative disease, wherein theisothiocyanate functional surfactant comprises at least oneisothiocyanate functional group associated with an aliphatic and/oraromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanate functional surfactant; (b)removing the isothiocyanate functional surfactant from the area affectedby the neurodegenerative disease after a period of time; and (c)repeating the steps of administering and removing the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant to/from the affected area.

The present invention is also directed to a method for treating aneurodegenerative disease comprising the step of: associating an areaaffected by a neurodegenerative disease with an isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant, wherein the isothiocyanate functional surfactantcomprises at least one isothiocyanate functional group associated withan aliphatic and/or aromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant.

The present invention is further directed to a method for treating aneurodegenerative disease comprising the step of: administering a lysinederivative to an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, whereinthe lysine derivative comprises an α-nitrogen and a ε-nitrogen, andwherein an alkyl and/or alkanoyl substituent comprising at leastapproximately 8 carbon atoms is associated with the α-nitrogen, andfurther wherein at least one isothiocyanate functional group isassociated with the ε-nitrogen.

The present invention is still further directed to a method for treatinga neurodegenerative disease comprising the step of: administering asurfactant to an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, whereinthe protonated form of the surfactant is represented by the followingchemical structure:

wherein the surfactant comprises a non-polar moiety (NP) and a polarmoiety (P), and wherein at least one isothiocyanate functional group(NCS) is associated with the polar and/or non-polar moiety.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method fortreating a neurodegenerative disease comprising the step of:administering a surfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofto an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein theprotonated form of the surfactant is represented by the followingchemical structure:

wherein R₁ comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer; wherein R₂ comprises NCS; and wherein R₃-R₅ are the same ordifferent and comprise H; OH; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer with the proviso that at least one of R₃-R₅ comprise an alkyl,cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl,alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containingapproximately 8 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s).

The present invention is also directed to a method for treating aneurodegenerative disease comprising the step of: administering asurfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to an areaaffected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein the protonated form ofthe surfactant is represented by the following chemical structure:

wherein X comprises an integer ranging from approximately 1 toapproximately 25, and wherein Y comprises an integer ranging fromapproximately 6 to approximately 25.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a methodfor treating a neurodegenerative disease comprising the step of:administering a surfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofto an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein theprotonated form of the surfactant is represented by the followingchemical structure:

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method fortreating a neurodegenerative disease comprising the step of:administering a surfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofto an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein theprotonated form of the surfactant is represented by the followingchemical structure:

wherein R₁ comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer; wherein R₂ comprises NCS; wherein R₃-R₅ are the same ordifferent and comprise H; OH; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer with the proviso that at least one of R₃-R₅ comprise an alkyl,cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl,alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containingapproximately 8 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein X comprisesa counter cation such as, but not limited to, alkali metals, alkalineearth metals, transition metals, s-block metals, d-block metals, p-blockmetals, NZ₄ ⁺, wherein Z comprises, H, R₆, and/or OR₆, and wherein R₆comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyanogroup containing approximately 1 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s),wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, ahalogen, a N, O, and/or S containing moiety, and/or one or morefunctional groups comprising alcohols, esters, ammonium salts,phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; a linkage to a dimer; alinkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to a polymer.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the present invention is directedto a method for treating a neurodegenerative disease as disclosed supra,further comprising the step of administering an additional surfactant,wherein the additional surfactant is selected from at least one of thegroup comprising a non-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, acationic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, and combinationsthereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and/or described herein in detailseveral specific embodiments with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theembodiments illustrated.

In accordance with the present invention, surprisingly effective methodsfor treating neurodegenerative diseases are provided herein. Inparticular, these methods include treating a plurality of types ofneurodegenerative diseases, such as, but not limited to, amyloid-relateddiseases, dementia, Alzheimer's disease—just to name a few.

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method fortreating a neurodegenerative disease comprising the steps ofadministering one or more isothiocyanate functional surfactants to anarea affected by the neurodegenerative disease. Preferably, theisothiocyanate functional surfactant comprises one or moreisothiocyanate functional groups associated with an aliphatic and/oraromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanate functional surfactant. Itwill be understood that an area affected by the neurodegenerativedisease may comprise areas proximate and/or contiguous to areas whereamyloid deposits are present and/or other neurodegenerative disease typemarkers are present. It will be further understood that isothiocyanatefunctional surfactants, regardless of their ordinary meaning, aredefined herein as a surfactant having an isothiocyanate functional groupassociated therewith. It will be yet further understood that the termassociated as used herein in chemical context, regardless of itsordinary meaning, is defined herein as attached, a covalent bond, apolar covalent bond, an ionic bond, a hydrogen bond, van der Waalsforces, electrostatic interaction, directly and/or indirectly linked,etcetera.

The term surfactant derives from contraction of the termssurface-active-agent and is defined herein as a molecule and/or group ofmolecules which are able to modify the interfacial properties of theliquids (aqueous and non-aqueous) in which they are present. Thesurfactant properties of these molecules reside in their amphiphiliccharacter which stems from the fact that each surfactant molecule hasboth a hydrophilic moiety and a hydrophobic (or lipophilic) moiety, andthat the extent of each of these moieties is balanced so that atconcentrations at or below the critical micelle concentration (i.e.,CMC) they generally concentrate at the air-liquid interface andmaterially decrease the interfacial tension. For example, sodium saltsof saturated carboxylic acids are extremely soluble in water up to C8length and are thus not true surfactants. They become less soluble inwater from C9 up to C18 length, the domain of effective surfactants forthis class of compounds. The carboxylic acids (fatty acids) can beeither saturated or unsaturated starting from C16 chain lengths.

Without being bound by any one particular theory, it is believed thatthe isothiocyanate functional surfactants disclosed herein facilitatetreatment of numerous forms of neurodegenerative disease by boosting thebody's immune system. It is also believed that the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactants disclosed herein facilitate elevating phase IIenzymes (e.g., HAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase) which are believed to,among other things regulate inflammatory responses within the body.

In accordance with the present invention, the isothiocyanate functionalsurfactants may be used as an administered leave-on/leave-in product inwhich one or more surfactants remain on/in the human body (e.g., theskin, the brain, the circulatory system, etcetera) and are notimmediately and/or ever removed. Alternatively, the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactants of the present invention may be used in anadminister and remove fashion. For either case, it is preferred that theisothiocyanate functional surfactants be generally mild to the humanbody (e.g., non-irritating or low-irritating). In particular, anionicN-alkanoyl surfactants derived from amino acids are especially preferredbecause, while not completely predictable, they have a tendency to bemild. The methods of preparation detailed in this invention employ, butare not limited to, amino acids that possess at least two aminefunctionalities, at least one of which is converted to an N-alkanoylfunctionality, and at least one of which is converted intoisothiocyanate functionality. The amino acids include, but are notlimited to, the α-amino acids lysine, ornithine, 2,4-diaminobutanoicacid, 2,3-diaminoproprionic acid, 2,7-diaminoheptanoic acid, and2,8-diaminooctanoic acid. Additionally, amino acids other than α-aminoacids may be employed, such as β-amino acids, etcetera. It will beunderstood that amino acid derived surfactants are preferred due totheir mild nature, but any one of a number of other surfactants arelikewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention.

Methods for preparing isothiocyanate functional surfactants and/or theirprecursors can involve, but are not limited to, conversion of an aminefunctionality to an isothiocyanate functionality. The methods ofconversion of amine functionalities to isothiocyanate functionalitiesinclude, but are not limited to: (1) reaction with carbon disulfide toyield an intermediate dithiocarbamate, followed by reaction withethylchloroformate or its functional equivalent such asbis(trichloromethyl)-carbonate, trichloromethyl chloroformate, orphosgene; (2) reaction with thiophosgene; (3) reaction with1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidizole; (4) reaction with phenylthiochloroformate;(5) reaction with ammonium or alkali metal thiocyanate to prepare anintermediate thiourea followed by cleaving to the isothiocyanate viaheating; and (6) reaction with an isothiocyanato acyl halide[SCN—(CH₂)_(n)—CO—Cl]. The resulting isothiocyanate functionalsurfactant, depending on the method of preparation, can be isolated as apure material or as a mixture with other surfactants. The resultingisothiocyanate functional surfactant, depending on the method ofpreparation, can be isolated and used directly in nonionic form, anionicform, cationic form, zwitterionic (amphoteric) form, and/or in a neutralsurfactant-precursor form in combination with a base such as sodiumhydroxide or triethanol amine if the neutral surfactant-precursor formpossesses a protonated carboxylic acid group such that reaction(deprotonation) with the base converts the neutral surfactant-precursorform to an anionic surfactant, or in neutral surfactant-precursor formin combination with an acid if the neutral surfactant-precursor formpossess amine functionality such that reaction (protonation) with theacid converts the neutral surfactant-precursor form to a cationicsurfactant.

In accordance with the present invention the step of administeringcomprises, but is not limited to, systemic administration, localinjection, regional injection, spraying, dripping, dabbing, rubbing,blotting, dipping, and any combination thereof.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant is removed from the affected area after a periodof time. Such a period comprises, but is not limited to, seconds (e.g.,1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 30seconds, 45 seconds, and 60 seconds), minutes (e.g., 1 minute, 2minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 45minutes, and 60 minutes), hours (e.g., 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 5hours, 8 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, and 60hours), days (e.g., 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7days, 10 days, 14 days, 21 days, 30 days), etcetera. It will beunderstood that the step of removing preferably occurs via purging,rinsing, wiping, and/or extracting—just to name a few.

Depending upon the subject and/or the severity of the neurodegenerativedisease, multiple administrations may be necessary. As such, the stepsof administering and/or removing the isothiocyanate functionalsurfactant may be repeated one or a plurality of times.

The present invention is also directed to a method for treating aneurodegenerative disease comprising the steps of associating (using anyknown medical technique) a lysine derivative to an area affected by aneurodegenerative disease, wherein the lysine derivative comprises anα-nitrogen and a ε-nitrogen. Preferably, an alkyl substituent comprisingat least approximately 8 carbon atoms is associated with the α-nitrogen.Preferably, at least one isothiocyanate functional group is associatedwith the ε-nitrogen.

The present invention is further directed to a method for treating aneurodegenerative disease comprising the steps of: administering asurfactant to an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, whereinthe surfactant is represented by the following chemical structure:

and wherein the surfactant comprises a non-polar moiety (NP) and a polarmoiety (P), and wherein at least one isothiocyanate functional group(NCS) is associated with the polar and/or non-polar moiety.

The present invention is yet further directed to a method for treating aneurodegenerative disease, comprising the step of: administering asurfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to an areaaffected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein the protonated form ofthe surfactant is represented by the following chemical structure:

wherein R₁ comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer; wherein R₂ comprises NCS; and wherein R₃-R₅ are the same ordifferent and comprise H; OH; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer with the proviso that at least one of R₃-R₅ comprise an alkyl,cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl,alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containingapproximately 8 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s).

In this embodiment, the surfactant is preferably represented by thefollowing chemical structure:

wherein X comprises an integer ranging from approximately 1 toapproximately 25, and wherein Y comprises an integer ranging fromapproximately 6 to approximately 25.

More preferably, the surfactant is represented by the following chemicalstructure:

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method fortreating a neurodegenerative disease comprising the step of:administering a surfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofto an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein theprotonated form of the surfactant is represented by the followingchemical structure:

wherein R₁ comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer; wherein R₂ comprises NCS; wherein R₃-R₅ are the same ordifferent and comprise H; OH; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer with the proviso that at least one of R₃-R₅ comprise an alkyl,cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl,alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containingapproximately 8 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein X comprisesa counter cation such as, but not limited to, alkali metals, alkalineearth metals, transition metals, s-block metals, d-block metals, p-blockmetals, NZ₄ ⁺, wherein Z comprises, H, R₆, and/or OR₆, and wherein R₆comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyanogroup containing approximately 1 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s),wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, ahalogen, a N, O, and/or S containing moiety, and/or one or morefunctional groups comprising alcohols, esters, ammonium salts,phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; a linkage to a dimer; alinkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to a polymer.

In accordance with the present invention, the isothiocyanate functionalsurfactant may also be associated with one or more additionalsurfactants, wherein the additional surfactants are selected from atleast one of the group comprising a non-ionic surfactant, an anionicsurfactant, a cationic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, andcombinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of preferred anionic surfactants include taurates;isethionates; alkyl and alkyl ether sulfates; succinamates; alkylsulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates; olefin sulfonates; alkoxy alkanesulfonates; sodium and potassium salts of fatty acids derived fromnatural plant or animal sources or synthetically prepared; sodium,potassium, ammonium, and alkylated ammonium salts of alkylated andacylated amino acids and peptides; alkylated sulfoacetates; alkylatedsulfosuccinates; acylglyceride sulfonates, alkoxyether sulfonates;phosphoric acid esters; phospholipids; and combinations thereof.Specific anionic surfactants contemplated for use include, but are by nomeans limited to, ammonium cocoyl isethionate, sodium cocoylisethionate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium stearoyl isethionate,sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium laurylsarcosinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, sodium laurylsulfoacetate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, TEA-cocoyl glutamate, TEA cocoylalaninate, sodium cocoyl taurate, potassium cetyl phosphate.

Non-limiting examples of preferred cationic surfactants includealkylated quaternary ammonium salts R₄NX; alkylated amino-amides(RCONH—(CH₂)_(n))NR₃X; alkylimidazolines; alkoxylated amines; andcombinations thereof. Specific examples of anionic surfactantscontemplated for use include, but are by no means limited to, cetylammonium chloride, cetyl ammonium bromide, lauryl ammonium chloride,lauryl ammonium bromide, stearyl ammonium chloride, stearyl ammoniumbromide, cetyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, cetyl dimethyl ammoniumbromide, lauryl dimethyl ammonium chloride, lauryl dimethyl ammoniumbromide, stearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl dimethyl ammoniumbromide, cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, cetyl trimethyl ammoniumbromide, lauryl trimethyl ammonium chloride, lauryl trimethyl ammoniumbromide, stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl trimethyl ammoniumbromide, lauryl dimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl dimethyl cetylditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, dicetyl ammonium chloride, dilaurylammonium chloride, dilauryl ammonium bromide, distearyl ammoniumchloride, distearyl ammonium bromide, dicetyl methyl ammonium chloride,dicetyl methyl ammonium bromide, dilauryl methyl ammonium chloride,distearyl methyl ammonium chloride, distearyl methyl ammonium bromide,ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallow dimethyl ammonium sulfate,di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(hydrogenatedtallow) dimethyl ammonium acetate, ditallow dipropyl ammonium phosphate,ditallow dimethyl ammonium nitrate, di(coconutalkyl)dimethyl ammoniumchloride, di(coconutalkyl)dimethyl ammonium bromide, tallow ammoniumchloride, coconut ammonium chloride, stearamidopropyl PG-imoniumchloride phosphate, stearamidopropyl ethyldimonium ethosulfate,stearimidopropyldimethyl (myristyl acetate) ammonium chloride,stearamidopropyl dimethyl cetearyl ammonium tosylate, stearamidopropyldimethyl ammonium chloride, stearamidopropyl dimethyl ammonium lactate,ditallowyl oxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, behenamidopropyl PGdimonium chloride, dilauryl dimethyl ammonium chloride, distearlydimethyl ammonium chloride, dimyristyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,dipalmityl dimethyl ammonium chloride, distearyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride, stearamidoproyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate,stearamidopropyl ethyldiammonium ethosulfate, stearamidopropyl dimethyl(myristyl acetate) ammonium chloride, stearimidopropyl diemthyl cetarylammonium tosylate, stearamido propyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,stearamidopropyl dimethyl ammonium lactate.

Non-limiting examples of preferred non-ionic surfactants includealcohols, alkanolamides, amine oxides, esters (including glycerides,ethoxylated glycerides, polyglyceryl esters, sorbitan esters,carbohydrate esters, ethoxylated carboxylic acids, phosphoric acidtriesters), ethers (including ethoxylated alcohols, alkyl glucosides,ethoxylated polypropylene oxide ethers, alkylated polyethylene oxides,alkylated polypropylene oxides, alkylated PEG/PPO copolymers), siliconecopolyols. Specific examples of non-ionic surfactants contemplated foruse include, but are by no means limited to, cetearyl alcohol,ceteareth-20, nonoxynol-9, C12-15 pareth-9, POE(4) lauryl ether,cocamide DEA, glycol distearate, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate,sorbitan stearate, PEG-8 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 trilaurate, laurylglucoside, octylphenoxy-polyethoxyethanol, PEG-4 laurate, polyglyceryldiisostearate, polysorbate-60, PEG-200 isostearyl palmitate, sorbitanmonooleate, polysorbate-80.

Non-limiting examples of preferred zwitterionic or amphotericsurfactants include betaines; sultaines; hydroxysultaines, amidobetaines, amidosulfo betaines; and combinations thereof. Specificexamples of amphoteric surfactants contemplated for use include, but areby no means limited to, cocoamidopropyl sultaine, cocoamidopropylhydroxyl sultaine, cocoamidopropylbetaine, coco dimethyl carboxymethylbetaine, lauryl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethylalphacarboxyethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, cetyldimethyl betaine, lauryl (2-bishydroxy) carboxymethyl betaine, stearylbis-(2-hydroxyethyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oelyl dimethylgamma-carboxypropyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)alphacarboxymethyl betaine, coco dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, stearyldimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl sulfoethyl betaine, laurylbis(2-hydroxyethyl) sulfopropyl betaine, oleyl betaine, cocamidopropylbetaine.

In further accordance with the present invention, the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant may optionally be incorporated into a formulationcomprising one or more solvents. Preferably, the solvent comprises ahydrocarbon and/or silicone oil that is generally non-hygroscopic and/orgenerally hydrophobic. Suitable examples, include, silicone basedsolvents and/or fluids, mineral oil, vegetable oils, squalene (i.e.,2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosane)—just to name a few.

The invention is further described by the following examples.

Example I Preparation of a mixture ofN_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ε)-isothiocyanato-L-Lysine withN_(α),N_(ε)-bis-lauroyl-L-lysine

A 1 liter beaker equipped with an overhead mechanical stainless steelpaddle stirrer was charged with 100 mL of 1 M NaOH (0.100 mol). Stirringwas begun and the beaker cooled to −5° C. to −10° C. using a salt/icebath. Next, 23.4 g (0.100 mol) of N_(ε)-benzylidene-L-lysine (preparedvia the method of Bezas, B and Zervas, L., JACS, 83, 1961, 719-722) wasadded. Immediately afterward and while keeping the solution cold, 140 mL(0.140 mol) of precooled (in a salt/ice bath) 1 M NaOH and 26.1 mL oflauroyl chloride was added in two equal portions over a period of 6minutes. The mixture was stirred for 10 more minutes at −5 to −10° C.,then the ice bath was removed and the reaction mixture allowed to stirfor another 1 hour while warming to room temperature. Next, the reactionmixture was cooled using a salt/ice bath and then sufficientconcentrated HCl was added to adjust the pH to 7.5-7.8. With the pH at7.8-7.8 and with continued cooling and stirring, 4.6 mL (60% ofstoichiometric, 0.068 mol) of thiophosgene was added drop-wise via anadditional funnel over the period of 1 hour. During this time,sufficient 1 M NaOH was added to maintain a pH range between 7.5-7.8.After the thiophosgene addition was complete, additional 1 M NaOH wasadded as necessary until the pH stabilized in 7.5-7.8 range. Next,sufficient 30% NaOH was added to adjust the pH to approximately 8.5.Next, 12 mL (0.051 mol) of lauroyl chloride was rapidly added, followedby sufficient 1 M NaOH to keep the pH in the range of 8.00-8.50. Next,sufficient concentrated HCl was added to adjust the pH to 1.5. Thereaction mixture was filtered via vacuum filtration, and the precipitatewashed with dilute HCl (pH=2). The product, a white moist solid, wasdried in vacuo while heating to 60° C. 45.19 g of white solid productwas recovered, a mixture of predominantlyN_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ε)-isothiocyanato-L-lysine andN_(α),N_(ε)-bis-lauroyl-L-lysine (determined via LC-MS analysis). Bothcompounds in this mixture can be simultaneously converted into anionic(carboxylate) surfactants via reaction with aqueous NaOH to yield aclear aqueous solution of the surfactants.

Example II Preparation of PureN_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ε)-isothiocyanato-L-Lysine Step 1: Preparation ofN_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ε)-carbobenzoxy-L-Lysine

60.0 g of N_(ε)-cbz-L-Lysine (cbz is carbobenzoxy) purchased fromAtomole Scientific Company, LTD was added to a three-liter beaker alongwith 1200 mL of RO water and the mixture was stirred. Next, 39 mL of 30%aqueous NaOH was added, resulting in dissolution of theN_(ε)-cbz-L-Lysine. The resulting solution was cooled in an ice bath andthen 52.5 mL of lauroyl chloride was added. The ice bath was removed 30minutes later, and stirring continued for an additional six hours, atwhich time 18 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid was added. Thereaction mixture was then filtered via vacuum filtration, the whitesolid product washed with 1 M aqueous HCl, and then the solid productwas dried in vacuo while heated to approximately 85° C. 96.5 g of drywhite solid product was obtained. The product can be further purified bydissolving it in methanol, filtering off any insoluble precipitate, andremoving the methanol in vacuo to recover a white solid product (mp99.5-103.0° C.)

Step 2: Preparation of N_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ε)-ammonium chloride-L-Lysine

10.0 g of N_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ε)-carbobenzoxy-L-Lysine was weighed into aone liter Erlenmeyer flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar. 150 mL ofconcentrated hydrochloric acid was added and the solution was stirredand heated in an oil bath to 104° C., then allowed to cool with the oilbath back to room temperature. The solution was then cooled to 9° C. forapproximately four hours, during which time a large mass of whiteprecipitate formed. The reaction mixture was filtered in vacuo andrinsed with a small amount of cold 1 M HCl. The white solid reactionproduct was then dried in vacuo while being heated to 78° C., yielding7.89 g of white solid product (mp 191-193° C.).

Step 3: Preparation of N_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ε)-isothiocyanato-L-Lysine

0.46 mL of thiophosgene was added to 30 mL of dichloromethane in a 125mL Erlenmeyer flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar. To this solutionwas drop wise added over 15 minutes a solution consisting of 2.00 gN_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ε)-ammonium chloride-L-Lysine, 10 mL RO water, and 2.7mL 20% aqueous NaOH. Stirring was continued for an additional 30minutes, after which sufficient concentrated hydrochloric acid was addedto lower the pH to 1 as indicated by testing with pHydrion paper. Thereaction solution was then transferred into a separatory funnel and thebottom turbid dichloromethane layer was isolated and dried withanhydrous magnesium sulfate and gravity filtered. To the filtrate wasadded 50 mL of hexanes. The solution was then concentrated via removalof 34 mL of solvent via trap-to-trap distillation and then placed in a−19° C. freezer. A mass of white precipitate formed after a few hoursand was isolated via vacuum filtration and then dried in vacuo for 2hours. 1.130 g of a slightly off white solid powder product was obtained[mp 37.0-39.0° C.; IR (cm⁻¹), 3301 sb, 2923 s, 2852 s, 2184 m, 2099 s,1721 s, 1650 s, 1531 s, 1456 m, 1416 w, 1347 m, 1216 m, 1136 w].

The oils and/or solvents employed hereinabove are provided for thepurposes of illustration, and are not to be construed as limiting theinvention in any way. As such, the oils may be liquid, solid, or gel,and may be synthetic or of natural origin and include but are notlimited to waxes, esters, lipids, fats, glycerides, cyclic silicones,linear silicones, crosslinked silicones, alkylsilicones, siliconecopolyols, alkylated silicone copolyols, and/or hydrocarbons, and/orethoxylated versions of all of these.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the inventionand the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appendedclaims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:
 1. A method for treating a neurodegenerative disease,comprising the step(s) of: administering an isothiocyanate functionalsurfactant to an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, whereinthe isothiocyanate functional surfactant comprises at least oneisothiocyanate functional group associated with an aliphatic and/oraromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanate functional surfactant.
 2. Themethod for treating the neurodegenerative disease according to claim 1,further comprising the step of removing the isothiocyanate functionalsurfactant from the area affected by the neurodegenerative disease aftera period of time.
 3. A method for treating a neurodegenerative disease,comprising the steps of: administering an isothiocyanate functionalsurfactant to an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, whereinthe isothiocyanate functional surfactant comprises at least oneisothiocyanate functional group associated with an aliphatic and/oraromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanate functional surfactant;removing the isothiocyanate functional surfactant from the area affectedby the neurodegenerative disease after a period of time; and repeatingthe steps of administering and removing the isothiocyanate functionalsurfactant to/from the affected area.
 4. A method for treating aneurodegenerative disease, comprising the steps of: associating an areaaffected by a neurodegenerative disease with an isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant, wherein the isothiocyanate functional surfactantcomprises at least one isothiocyanate functional group associated withan aliphatic and/or aromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant.
 5. A method for treating a neurodegenerativedisease, comprising the step(s) of: administering a lysine derivative toan area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein the lysinederivative comprises an α-nitrogen and a ε-nitrogen, and wherein analkyl and/or alkanoyl substituent comprising at least approximately 8carbon atoms is associated with the α-nitrogen, and further wherein atleast one isothiocyanate functional group is associated with theε-nitrogen.
 6. A method for treating a neurodegenerative disease,comprising the step(s) of: administering a surfactant to an areaaffected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein the protonated form ofthe surfactant is represented by the following chemical structure:

wherein the protonated form of the surfactant comprises a non-polarmoiety (NP) and a polar moiety (P), and wherein at least oneisothiocyanate functional group (NCS) is associated with the polarand/or non-polar moiety.
 7. A method for treating a neurodegenerativedisease, comprising the step(s) of: administering a surfactant or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to an area affected by aneurodegenerative disease, wherein the protonated form of the surfactantis represented by the following chemical structure:

wherein R₁ comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer; wherein R₂ comprises NCS; and wherein R₃-R₅ are the same ordifferent and comprise H; OH; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer with the proviso that at least one of R₃-R₅ comprise an alkyl,cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl,alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containingapproximately 8 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s).
 8. A method fortreating a neurodegenerative disease, comprising the step(s) of:administering a surfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofto an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein theprotonated form of the surfactant is represented by the followingchemical structure:

wherein X comprises an integer ranging from approximately 1 toapproximately 25, and wherein Y comprises an integer ranging fromapproximately 6 to approximately
 25. 9. A method for treating aneurodegenerative disease, comprising the step(s) of: administering asurfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to an areaaffected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein the protonated form ofthe surfactant is represented by the following chemical structure:


10. A method for treating a neurodegenerative disease, comprising thestep(s) of: administering a surfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof to an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, whereinthe surfactant is represented by the following chemical structure:

wherein R₁ comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer; wherein R₂ comprises NCS; wherein R₃-R₅ are the same ordifferent and comprise H; OH; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer with the proviso that at least one of R₃-R₅ comprise an alkyl,cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl,alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containingapproximately 8 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein X comprisesa counter cation such as, but not limited to, alkali metals, alkalineearth metals, transition metals, s-block metals, d-block metals, p-blockmetals, NZ₄ ⁺, wherein Z comprises, H, R₆, and/or OR₆, and wherein R₆comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyanogroup containing approximately 1 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s),wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, ahalogen, a N, O, and/or S containing moiety, and/or one or morefunctional groups comprising alcohols, esters, ammonium salts,phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; a linkage to a dimer; alinkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to a polymer.
 11. The methodfor treating the neurodegenerative disease according to claim 1, furthercomprising the step of administering an additional surfactant, whereinthe additional surfactant is selected from at least one of the groupcomprising a non-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationicsurfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, and combinations thereof.
 12. Themethod for treating the neurodegenerative disease according to claim 1,wherein the neurodegenerative disease is selected from at least one ofthe group comprising an amyloid-related disease, dementia, andAlzheimer's disease.